WHALEY WINS US AMATEUR

Golfer's Companion August 16, 2026 2 min read

Jack Whaley has become only the third Englishman to ever win the US Amateur Championship after defeating American amateur superstar Jay Leng 4 & 3 in the final at a rain soaked Merion Golf Club in Philadelphia.

Whaley’s name is now engraved on the Havemeyer Trophy with fellow Englishmen Harold Hilton (1910), Matt Fitzpatrick (2013) and many other legends of the game like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones.

“This has just blown me away. It’s not completely sunk in yet.”, said Whaley. “Yeah, as we were driving back, I was looking with my dad at some of the names that are on this, and it’s incredible some of the names. I never thought that my name would be amongst such impressive people. So yeah, I’m really happy that I’m going to be on that level.”

Now the golf world is about to take off for Whaley and a few more famous golf courses are now in his future……….victory in the US Amateur brings many bonuses not least teeing up at Augusta for The Masters, Pebble Beach for the US Open and St. Andrews for The Open next year the stuff of every golfers dreams.

More immediately is a sure selection to the GB&I Walker Cup team for the matches at Lahinch in September. Whaley feels matchplay suits him….”I think the big thing is that I actually don’t think I’ve played much match play on links golf courses, and the ones that I have played match play in county golf, I’ve actually played really well. Me and one of my teammates a couple years ago, we played in the foursomes for Yorkshire, I believe six years ago, seven years ago, and we went out there and we were 6-under through six in the first six holes. It’s not like it’s a mental block or anything like that. It’s just, I guess, match play is just different. I feel like I’m better in match play.”

Roll on Lahinch and the next chapter for Jack Whaley, US Amateur Champion!

Photo 1:USGA President Kevin Hammer presents 2026 U.S. Amateur Champion Jack Whaley with the Havemeyer Trophy after winning 4 and 3 at the 33rd hole. (Dustin Satloff/USGA)